White spots appear in attempt to get a tan (Pictures incl.)

[Howieau]

I have been going to the beach often and doing some sunbaking in an attempt to brown up a bit. Im of english background so my skin was very pale. Im slowly getting darker but Ive had these white spots appear on my skin and I have no idea what they are, whether theyre serious or not etc.

If anyone can help me out with info on these spots, it would be much appreciated.

[url]http://i77.photo bucket.com/albums/j60/Howieau/CIMG002ed9.jpg
[url]http://i77.photo bucket.com/albums/j60/Howieau/CIMG002ed91.jpg

(Remove the space between 'photo' and 'bucket', and take out the '[url]' boxes to see the pics - I posted them so you can see what the white spots look like and help you familiarise with what they are)

Thanks in advance.

[Monkeyboots]

Hi Howieau,

I think it is possibly Tinea Versicolor. It is a yeast that naturally is in the skin which gets out of balance in certain people unfortunately it affects pigmentation. There are certain treatments like Nizoral shampoo or selsun. Sounds odd as they are anti-dandruff, but dandruff is caused by yeast that gets out of balance and it is the same with this skin condition.

It can be a bit stubborn, and I think it will be annoying if you like to be tanned, but otherwise they say it is harmless.

Still, get checked at the Doc just to be sure what it is.

M.B.

[Howieau]

I looked up pictures of Tinea Versicolor and it appears to be exactly what my problem is. Thank you very much MB

[Monkeyboots]

You're welcome. I have been suffering with same thing but mine doesn't look quite like the typical pics but that is what my docs now believe I have.

Do check with your doc though.

Best wishes,

M.B.

[Howieau]

What Im unsure of is, once you use an antifungal to fix it, how do you know if its fixed? Go back in the sun and see the spots come out white again?